Connect with Us

Elk culling under way

Elk culling, the always controversial means of reducing the number of elk in the Sequim herd, is now under way.

Mick Cope, Regional Wildlife Program Manager for Region 6, which includes the entire peninsula, said he prefers to use the term managing rather than culling, saying it better reflects the program’s planning and purpose. “We’re trying to remove and reduce the number of animals,” he said.

Cope said the Sequim elk herd has grown “bigger than it should be.” As a result, “the farmers in the area have been feeling an impact to the bottom line.”

“We’re not trying to eliminate (the herd), that’s for sure,” he said.

In an interview in 2012, Sgt. Eric Anderson, an agency enforcement official, told the Gazette, “We understand how important the herd is to the city of Sequim. We know some people are going to have some really strong feelings about this.”

“But,” he added, “we have to keep the herd at a number where we’re not having agricultural damage.”

He noted that that the elk population “isn’t stagnant.” Left unchecked the population would “grow exponentially.”

“They don’t have any natural predators,” Anderson said. “And they’re sitting there in some of the best fields in Washington.”

Setting goals
The program this year has the same goals as in the past. First and foremost, that means limiting the damage to crops while ensuring visitors and residents can still enjoy viewing the herd.

“We’re trying to strike that balance,” said Cope.

He said his department has a goal of bringing the number of antlerless elk north of U.S. Highway 101 to around 20. He said the herd is largely a mixture of cows, calves (too young to have been sexed) and “spikes” — young bulls.

One or two of the more mature bulls will travel with the cows, and more arrive and leave in the fall.

Cope said the issue has been ongoing for years, but may be growing more acute as both elk and human numbers increase.

He added there’s another important issue at work: “Elk have have learned that farms provide really good, nutritious forage.”

“We have maybe 20-25 places in Region 6 alone where we have crop damage,” he said.

He added that the agency’s duty is spelled out in the law. “They’re causing damage to crops, so the Legislature says we have to respond. We have to sometimes also compensate damage claims,” he added.

Killing an elk isn’t the first option, but “non-lethal hazing” often has little impact.

He said the current effort likely will continue until March.

Working with the farmers

Cope said their efforts include working with local farmers, including Nash Huber and the Smith family, which owns Maple View Farm.

We encourage an open exchange of ideas on this story's topic, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. Personal attacks, inappropriate language, and off-topic comments may be removed, and comment privileges revoked, per our Terms of Use. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.